Chinese married to foreigners to get multiple entry visas

Chinese spouses married to foreign nationals authorized to work in Taiwan will be granted multiple entry visas, the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) said yesterday.

Currently, Chinese spouses wishing to revisit their foreign marriage partner must inform the immigration authorities of their next visit.

The measure, which will take effect following ratification by the Cabinet, is part of several amendments to a decree regulating the entry of Chinese nationals approved by the council yesterday.

health certificate

Among the amendments, Chinese spouses married to Taiwanese nationals must produce a health certificate on their first trip to the country, MAC Vice Chairman Liu Te-shun (劉德勳) said.

To help investigators prosecute cases of human smuggling, the council also agreed to allow victims that have been deported to re-enter the country and testify in court. The victims can return and stay in Taiwan for up to six months to assist in legal proceedings against smugglers.

The council also agreed to grant multiple entry visas to family members of visiting Chinese nationals who require care or assistance.

Penalty

To effectively curb human smuggling, Liu said Taiwanese brokers, or men using marriage as a front to coerce Chinese women into prostitution may face a jail sentence of between one year and seven years and/or a fine of up to NT$1 million (US$31,250).

The organizers of such criminal activity would be subject to a minimum sentence of five years and/or a fine of up to NT$10 million.

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